BUSINESS BUILDING REMAINS PRESSING NEED AT THE UNIVERSITY

Southeast Missouri State University's request for $13.8 million to construct a business building has earned fourth place on a priority list drafted by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education. The list is part of the CBHE's recommendation for Fiscal 1995 funding.

Fourth isn't bad out of a list of nearly 50 capital requests by institutions of higher education across the state. Of those, only eight received CBHE recommendation. But realistically, it's no guarantee the building will gain funding this year. That's because very few dollars have been allocated for new construction for higher education in recent years. A real indicator of success would be inclusion in Gov. Mel Carnahan's budget, which will be released in January. If the building is not included in the governor's budget, the battle for dollars next year would be virtually impossible.

We urge Gov. Carnahan to carefully consider Southeast's request. This business building is sorely needed. Business represents the largest major on campus, and a vital recruitment tool for the university. The building would draw together business classes and professors now scattered across the campus. This centralization would provide an even stronger program. Also going in Southeast's favor is the strong community support. The university has raised an impressive $2.4 million as a local share of the project.

Fourth is the place Southeast's business building stood on the CBHE's priority list for Fiscal 1994. The three other projects ahead of the business building remained essentially the same.

Topping the list for a second year is Webster Hall at Missouri Southern. Actually, this building for social sciences and communications is completed. But $2.9 million remains on the debt, and the building was constructed with an understanding that the state would help pay for it.

The second priority project is actually new, but it replaces a similar, but less expensive building. Plans to expand Ellis library at $8.5 million have been replaced with a $4 million library storage building to serve the entire University of Missouri system.

Also preceding Southeast is a $14.4 million general classroom building for the Springfield campus, mainly to accommodate recent student growth.

At this point, it's not clear if state revenues will allow for additional dollars for higher education. Last year, the legislature approved no dollars for new construction. The only capital funds approved were for American Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements. And even those projects left universities and colleges picking up half the costs.

Trial balloons for other revenue sources have been raised -- such as a statewide general obligation bond issue -- but that's all speculation at this point. Riverboat gambling may also bring in dollars for higher education.

The governor and legislators may feel a little more urgency on the business building this year because the university's social science building has been vacated for renovations. The university has expanded the scope of the business building to include general classroom space.

The CBHE recommendation is necessary for the project to even be considered by the governor. Few projects without the board's stamp of approval see the light of day -- or the green of appropriations. The nine-member coordinating board has been operating three members short lately, but appointments this week by the governor will bring its strength back to eight. The Southeast region slot still remains open, but that didn't stop other board members from endorsing Southeast's business building need.

That's because the need is unmistakable. It's the dollars that don't always match up with these needs. As their top priority, university officials have lobbied tirelessly for this building, as have many people throughout Southeast Missouri. This facility would benefit not only the university, but the entire region. We hope that this year, the governor and legislature will follow the CBHE's lead and recommend funding for Southeast's business building.